Our current presidential administration loves its false sense of entitlement to never being held accountable, never allowing any critical questioning of its credibility (and silencing those who dare to do so), and shamefully absolving themselves from taking responsibility for any wrong-doing or major screw-up, whether it’s by Dubya himself or one of its own such as Karl Rove. Reprehensible wrong-doing and screw-ups such as misleading the country about the reasons for going to war in Iraq, then refusing to acknowledge that there were no WMD’s in Iraq and Saddam had nothing to do with the tragic 9/11 attacks (oh but then it conveniently went from “finding those WMD’s and Saddam was involved in the 9/11 terrorist attacks” to “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and spreading democracy), failing to take precautions that could have prevented 9/11 (never mind how many warnings they received on Bin Laden planning an attack against us), and now “PlameGate“.
“PlameGate” is scandal based on one man’s, Karl Rove’s (with the help of his lackey, columnist and conservative political pundit Robert Novak), shameful and egregious attempts to defame and silence a dissenting critic of Bush’s war in Iraq, by tarnishing and ruining the career of his wife, a CIA operative. How childishly petty. Rove apparently thinks he’s still in Junior High and writing a slam-book against ‘that bitch whose man bad-mouthed his man.’ Well the chief presidential advisor, the Benedict Arnold of our time, recently testified before a Grand Jury concerning the “PlameGate” investigation.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief presidential adviser Karl Rove testified to a grand jury that he talked with two journalists before they divulged the identity of a CIA officer but that he originally learned about the operative from the news media and not government sources, according to a person briefed on the testimony.
The person, who works in the legal profession and spoke only on condition of anonymity because of grand jury secrecy, told The Associated Press that Rove testified last year that he remembers specifically being told by columnist Robert Novak that Valerie Plame, the wife of a harsh Iraq war critic, worked for the CIA.[…]
And I’m sure he (Novak) told Rove this with no intention of smearing her name or using it to further some malignant hidden agenda. Riiight.
The conversation eventually turned to Plame’s husband, Joseph Wilson, a former ambassador who was strongly criticizing the Bush administration’s use of faulty intelligence to justify the war in Iraq, the person said.
[…]Rove told the grand jury that three days later, he had a phone conversation with Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper and — in an effort to discredit some of Wilson’s allegations — informally told Cooper that he believed Wilson’s wife worked for the CIA, though he never used her name, the source said.[…]
An e-mail Cooper recently provided the grand jury shows Cooper reported to his magazine bosses that Rove had described Wilson’s wife in a confidential conversation as someone who “apparently works” at the CIA.
Robert Luskin, Rove’s attorney, said Thursday his client truthfully testified to the grand jury and expected to be exonerated.
He’ll receive a medal as well from Dubya, just as George Tenet did, despite his (Tenet) own fuck-ups with *factual* intelligence gathering and then misleadings concerning the war in Iraq.
[…] Federal law prohibits government officials from divulging the identity of an undercover intelligence officer. But in order to bring charges, prosecutors must prove the official knew the officer was covert and nonetheless knowingly outed his or her identity.
How_the_hell could a high government official such as Rove not know that a CIA employee could potentially be a covert operative? It’s the fucking CIA! That’s not exactly your everyday office space. No one is that stupid, however, people are that abusive for political gain.
Rove’s conversations with Novak and Cooper took place just days after Wilson suggested in a New York Times opinion piece that some of the intelligence related to Iraq’s nuclear weapons program was twisted to exaggerate the Iraqi threat.[…]
No hidden agenda there, right Novak (and Rove)? You would never go after Plame just to get to her husband Wilson, as some sort of despicable scheme to silence a dissenting critic of Bush’s Iraqi war? No, no–of course not.
On Thursday, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada pressed for legislation to strip Rove of his clearance for classified information, …. Instead, Reid said, the Bush administration has attacked its critics: “This is what is known as a cover-up. This is an abuse of power.”
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, said Democrats were resorting to “partisan war chants.”
Typical. Oh and there was nothing partisan when the Republicans demanded that Clinton be ousted from office for lying about screwing an intern. Lying about that apparently warranted an independent prosecution, Grand Jury testimonies, impeachment hearings, and calls for heads to roll. But when it comes to calling for an investigation into Karl Rove’s treachery in a shameful political ploy to denegrate a critic of the Bush Administraion’s Iraqi war, via ruining his wife’s career as a CIA operative, it’s “partisan politics.” Nice.
Across the Capitol, Rep. Rush Holt, D-New Jersey, introduced legislation for an investigation that would compel senior administration officials to turn over records relating to the Plame disclosure.
Pressed to explain its statements of two years ago that Rove wasn’t involved in the leak, the White House refused to do so this week.
“If I were to get into discussing this, I would be getting into discussing an investigation that continues and could be prejudging the outcome of the investigation,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
Nice snub there, McClellan. You’re getting awfully good at it as of late (see here and here). The delusional sense of entitlement to teflonhood by this administration never cease to astound me. And remember the definitions for the words ‘treason’ and ‘traitor’? N.O.W. does….
Treason, noun, “The crime of betraying one’s country” (Compact Oxford English Dictionary). High treason: “Violation by a subject of his allegiance to his sovereign or to the state” (Oxford English Dictionary). Traitor: “one who betrays another’s trust or is false to an obligation or duty” (Merriam-Webster). Sound familiar?
Last week, MSNBC political analyst Lawrence O’Donnell reported that Karl Rove was the White House source who revealed the identity and thus threatened the life of undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame. Rove was apparently acting at the time to discredit allegations made by Plame’s husband, Joseph C. Wilson, IV, who had publicly refuted the White House claim about Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction. In other words, Rove exposed and endangered a female CIA operative – to get to her husband. This was not only an offense against Plame, whose life and work were put in jeopardy, it was an offense against our country and our government.
There has already been a call for George W. Bush to immediately suspend Rove’s security clearances, pending the outcome of the government investigation. After all, he’s leaked highly confidential and dangerous information for political gain before, why wouldn’t he do it again? By all rights, PlameGate should be a scandal of the highest order, certainly as well-publicized as any of the minor scandals during the Clinton Administration.[…]
Bush himself said that he would “take care” of anyone who leaked vital government information and names (and by “take care” I would assume being given a medal or some other political perk)…..
“If there’s a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is,” Bush told reporters at an impromptu news conference during a fund-raising stop in Chicago, Illinois. “If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of.”[…]
One more from Bush for some laughs and giggles, and irony…
[…]Even though I’m a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious, of traitors.[…]
So…when is Rove’s presidential honor and award ceremony? If Bush would give a medal to George Tenet no doubt he would give one to Rove. Pardon my cynicism of Dubya’s unconvincing promise to punish those who leak government info and break the law, but oh please let Rove’s award ceremony take place in the Rose Garden (even roses can smell like shit, people)! Here’s a timeline for background info on the PlameGate/Rove scandal.
sorry to digress from the topic, but “Operation Iraqi Freedom” seems to be yet another case of the US instillation of leadership that is a tool for our own interests. I picked tour this up last night and blogged it as quickly as Marcia Brady blogged that kiss from Desi Arnez Jr.
Pseudo-Adrienne wrote:
Would that it were just “one man” being “childishly petty.” Fact is, the whole 4th grade is in on it: Libby, Cheney, and of course, Bush. Plus the entire Republican party, by association (or refusal to disassociate).
And it’s not about Rove or a renegade journalist, or even a covert agent, as Frank Rich pointed out in today’s NYT column. It’s about the PNAC trying to convince Clinton to invade Iraq back in — 1999, I think — and about Bush revealing to his biographer in 1999 what he hoped to accomplish if he were elected (which he wasn’t, but I won’t go into that here): start a war.
After all, this is the guy who tried to kill his dad. What more reason does he need?
Not to take the heat off Rove, of course — he broke the law, and he’s scum. He should be in jail. But so should his sleazy little buddies.
I just read some information that shows the war in iraq is about who gets the oil profits and not about oil per say.
the companies who profit from the war like the oil companies get security in other countries with the taxpayers footing the bills. I never could see how corporations could make money on war enough to actually encourage it. that didn’t make sense. anyway there will always be red herrings in government as they try to divert everyone’s attentions away from the real issues by getting someone on the hook and focusing so much on that people forget that bush and his friends lied and manipulated the government for their personal agendas.
So on the hook comes the rove fello. remember that scandal a few years back where a guy by the name of oliver north was the scapegoat? he was probably promised all kinds of consessions if he confessed sole responsiblity to what ever that was (see I remember him but not the wrong doing associated with it, probably what they wanted) and later on several years later come to find out oliver north didn’t spend any time in jail and is actually being promoted to some big position,
of course they waited until the heat died down and everyone forgot, so this rove fello the same thing will probably happen. governments have to much power, when they start breaking their own laws and don’t have to pay for them then you know government is too big.
but all governments are like that, they start out with good intentions but then they get corrupted because of all the perks they get money presitige influence etc and they forget the bigger picture.
RR
failing to take precautions that could have prevented 9/11 (never mind how many warnings they received on Bin Laden planning an attack against us), and now “PlamGate”.
PlameGate, not PlamGate…
feel free to delete this message.
*poof*
failing to take precautions that could have prevented 9/11
Pseudo-Adrienne, what precautions could the administration have taken that would have prevented 9/11 that you would have approved of?
I can think of lots of things that could have stopped 9/11. You would have screamed bloody murder about every single one of them. So I am dying to hear how you think the Bushies could have stopped 9/11. I am just all aquiver.
“I can think of lots of things that could have stopped 9/11. You would have screamed bloody murder about every single one of them. So I am dying to hear how you think the Bushies could have stopped 9/11. I am just all aquiver.”
Oh and I don’t know, how about then National Security advisor Condi Rice–now our Secretary of State–could have headed the warnings of “Bin Laden immanent to attack,” the Administration could have ceased to bend over backwards for Saudi Arabia and demand information on the extremist groups they harbored and financed, what their members are doing–where were they residing, and ask Egypt, Syria, Iran, Palestinian leaders (I’m also pro-separate state for the Palestinian people), and Lebanon some tough questions–and call them out for their bullshit. And for the record, I was for the war in Afghanistan–that’s where they were, that’s where he was, we should have been investigating Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia all along. And remember, I said “could,” not “would,” though you conveniently ignored that.
Robert, I think you need to lay off your subliminal boasting of possessing psychic abilities–so you know what’s going on in our minds before you even utter a syllable. Only in your wildest and delusional wet-dreams are you capable of this. Your previous comments on Nick Kiddle’s posts, which I have been viewing regularly, provide evidence that apparently you have some inclination to believe that you possess a certain degree of omniscient foresight–granted to you by your sense of moral superiority to the rest of us. Only users of the Force, Children of the Corn, the oracles of Delphi, and the Matrix Oracle have these abilities–and guess what, they’re ficitious characters. It amazes me how usually intelligent people such as yourself (and at your age) would reduce themselves to the level of an immature asshat, when they should know better. Perhaps if you stopped lecturing, preaching, wagging your finger at us, and subliminally claiming and hinting to know what’s going on in our heads (and/or how you just know better than the rest of us), other commenters wouldn’t be so “uncivil,” “abusive,” “dismissive,” “condescending,” or whatever victimological phrase you think best describes people’s attitudes towards you.
Now how about the issue of Rove and “PlameGate,” Robert? Very interesting and telling that you ignored the rest of the post and the main point all for that one sentence. Never one to actually address the focal issue at hand–it’s always about the petty and insignificant outliers, in an attempt to derail the discussion so you will never have to answer a single question with all of that glorious intellectual honesty you claim to possess. A very apparent pattern in your arguments. Shit, why not go work for Bush since you excel in that? Six-figure salary, come on, how could you pass that up?!
“PlameGate, not PlamGate…”
Fixed, not a problem. I know I’m horrible when it comes to spelling, but that’s what Webster is for.
I’d’a liked to see more airline cockpit security before 9-11, myself. It would not have caused me to scream, “racism, warmongering, infringement of civil liberties,” or whatever.
Oh and I don’t know, how about then National Security advisor Condi Rice”“now our Secretary of State”“could have headed the warnings of “Bin Laden immanent to attack,”
OK. And done what? Barred every Muslim or Saudi citizen from the air traffic system? That would have worked, at least for a good long while. Would you have approved? Would you have supported the administration in its court fight against a loyal Arab American who sued the government because his right to free travel was being suppressed?
the Administration could have ceased to bend over backwards for Saudi Arabia and demand information on the extremist groups they harbored and financed, what their members are doing”“where were they residing, and ask Egypt, Syria, Iran, Palestinian leaders (I’m also pro-separate state for the Palestinian people), and Lebanon some tough questions”“and call them out for their bullshit.
This is a fine collection of good things to do – none of which would have done anything to stop 9/11, which was carried out by independent operatives not reporting to Saudi intelligence who were already here in the states. You can yell at the Lebanese all you want; doesn’t do shit against the people who were here in place, doing the deed.
I’m ignoring your Plame/Rove commentary because (a) you’re about two weeks behind the rest of the blogosphere, which has pretty much concluded that Rove did nothing wrong and that Wilson and Cooper are much more likely to have been the leakers, (b) your underlying understanding of how political and reporting systems work is pretty much nonexistent, and (c) I have enough arguing to do without adding that to my plate. I was just curious about your 9/11 comment, since I hold out a forlorn hope that someday, somewhere, one of your crowd will actually have a cogent suggestion to offer.
More cockpit security would indeed have been a good idea, Mr. Ripley. But with my vast psychic powers, I was aware that P-A wouldn’t make that sensible concrete suggestion, and would instead blither about talking tough to the Saudis.
Alas.
“[…]since I hold out a forlorn hope that someday, somewhere, one of your crowd will actually have a cogent suggestion to offer.
More cockpit security would indeed have been a good idea, Mr. Ripley. But with my vast psychic powers, I was aware that P-A wouldn’t make that sensible concrete suggestion, and would instead blither about talking tough to the Saudis.”
Robert, fuck off. Amp and the others can deal with your disrespectful bullshit on other threads. I won’t tolerate being disrespected by a self-absorbed, pompous asshole like you (who bitches that people here don’t respect or treat him in a “civil” manner, never mind you never deal it out yourself)–that’s what the unfortunate women in your family are for. Unlike them, I won’t put up with it. I really could care less of how ridiculing, petulant, ungrateful shit like you thinks of how coherent, cogent, sensible, or intelligent I am or not. And you wonder why people are calling you a troll and wanting you kicked off this blog. You dug your own hole. Good ridance. Take it up with Amp, I’m sure he’s the one person who would entertain your whining about being “abused” on this blog. And nothing shows your megalomania more than your belief that everyone here is trying to impress you or live up to your standards. Take that attitude else where, as my patience for you is gone. I don’t know why Amp would keep such an obnoxious bastard like you around, or put up with it. You’re just another Fritz.
I’m ignoring your Plame/Rove commentary because (a) you’re about two weeks behind the rest of the blogosphere, which has pretty much concluded that Rove did nothing wrong and that Wilson and Cooper are much more likely to have been the leakers…
Wow. The gall and arrogance are amazing. It’s the trickle-down effect. It’s not just the Republican leadership who will utter the most transparent lies to your face… it’s now the Republican rank&file too.
Robert is nothing but a troll. He has no purpose on Alas other than to anger people. That’s how he gets his jollies. He contributes nothing constructive to any discussion he is involved in. If he weren’t a RLF of Amp, he’d have been banned ages ago.
But, hell, the rest of you can ban Robert from your post/threads. I, for one, urge you & Kim(bv) & Nick Kiddle (Hi & congrats Nick) to do so.
Robert: I’m ignoring your Plame/Rove commentary because
…you have enough sense to know that the Bush administration’s behavior with regard to Valerie Plame was indefensible?
*reads on*
No, because you intend to (a) say you’ve adopted the current right-wing talking points (b) refuse to defend them, because (my guess) you do have enough sense to see that anyone can tie them up in knots.
Now that’s a classic trollish technique: “I’m not going to talk about that because you’re all so IGNORANT. But, here’s my opinion. Now, back to the stuff I really enjoy bloviating about!”
Robert bloggled: (a) you’re about two weeks behind the rest of the blogosphere, which has pretty much concluded that Rove did nothing wrong and that Wilson and Cooper are much more likely to have been the leakers
oh hey, the BLOGOSPHERE has pretty much concluded that he didn’t do anything wrong – well then! case solved! ipso ergo wackofactoto sum!
good gravy, what utterly inane self-referentiality! stunning, almost.
Well 9/11 might have been a moot point if the Clinton administration had taken this offer to have Bin Laden served up to the US on a silver platter.
http://www.infowars.com/saved%20pages/Prior_Knowledge/Clinton_let_bin_laden.htm
(The above referenced article was in the LA TIMES–not on some blog.)
The Repubs have no monopoly on stupid mistakes, unethical and and sleazy dealings or treasonous folks in their camp. (Think Sandy Berger)